← Learn

A1 Articles and the gender of nouns (el, la, un, una)

advertisement

Every Spanish noun is masculine or feminine, and the article must match it.

The (definite) and a/an (indefinite)

el librothe book (m.)
la casathe house (f.)
los librosthe books
las casasthe houses
un libroa book
una casaa house

How to guess the gender

Nouns ending in -o are usually masculine (el gato), and -a usually feminine (la mesa). Endings -ción, -sión, -dad, -tad are feminine (la nación, la ciudad). But learn the article with each noun — there are exceptions (el día, la mano).

advertisement

More grammar & vocabulary →